A thriller of a project for Gary

Plans unveiled for a Jackson family museum, complex

June 02, 2010|By Mary Owen, Special to the Tribune

Michael Jackson's family acquired 300 acres from the city of Gary on Wednesday, the first step in plans for an estimated $300 million project to honor the late King of Pop and his family in their hometown.

The plans include a Jackson family museum, performing arts center, hotel, retail, restaurants, residential units and golf course. The project would be paid for by the Jackson Family Foundation and private investors, not by taxpayers, officials said.

Similar proposals to honor the Jacksons have surfaced in Gary before, but this time city officials said they have the right mix of financing and support to make it a reality.

"As Michael said, 'This is it,'" Mayor Rudy Clay said during a morning news conference at the Genesis Center in downtown Gary.

Family patriarch Joe Jackson said during the news conference that about a half-dozen other cities courted the family, but the complex belonged in Gary, where he had worked in the steel mills and raised his nine children.

The announcement came about an hour after the Gary Board of Public Works approved the transfer to the Jackson Family Foundation of the property where the complex would be built. Gary Deputy Mayor Geraldine Tousant said the city will not receive compensation for the land.

The property is south of downtown near Interstate Highway 80/94 and Broadway on empty land and park and golf course property. A portion of the Little Calumet River cuts through the property.

City officials and Jackson said the complex is projected to attract about 750,000 people and infuse about $150 million into the local economy per year. If completed, the project would be an economic and morale boost for the blighted city. Information packets distributed to the media declared: "Gary's best days are yet to come."

Neither Clay nor Jackson gave details about how much money has been raised for the project.

"The money will not be an issue. I know personally that investors are standing and ready," Clay said.

Six months ago, plans had included a theme park and had placed the project downtown. The theme park was not mentioned Wednesday as part of the current plan.

Clay said the Jacksons have spent $200,000 on thepreliminary plans, and they would pay for a feasibility study later this year that will outline the project details. Construction could start in 2011, he said.